Program Manager, West Africa Volunteers Development Initiative

Job Title:                   Program Manager

Organization:            West Africa Volunteers Development Initiative (WAVDI)

Location:                    Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa

Position:                     Volunteer/internship

Type of Position:       Onsite

Supervisor:                Executive Director

Start date:                  Immediately or as soon as possible

Contact:                      Email:    application@volunteerliberia.org  s

Under this position, West Africa Volunteers Development Initiative (WAVDI) will be responsible for your feeding, accommodation and in country work related transportation and visa fees only.   

OVERVIEW OF West Africa Volunteer Development Initiative (WAVDI)

The West Africa Volunteer Development Initiative (WAVDI) is dedicated to strengthening families and building robust communities across West Africa. Our focus spans key areas including agriculture, education and livelihood, gender and sexual rights, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, capacity-building, and good governance. We work to ensure access to opportunities by advancing research and solutions that tackle barriers to success.

Our approach involves demonstrating effective practices, influencing decision-makers, and promoting evidence-based strategies. As a regional organization, WAVDI is committed to making a positive impact throughout West Africa.

Introduction

When looking to hire for a Volunteer Deputy Director position, the job posting is an essential tool for attracting volunteers/students who are interested integrating classroom knowledge and theory with practical application that will help them to develop workplace skills, but also confidence in the applicability of their existing skills and attributes.  Our mission is to support volunteers, University students or recent graduates into career transitions by holistically preparing students/volunteers for meaningful professional lives while providing them the opportunity to reflect upon their career development objectives.

Rational

West Africa Volunteers Development Initiative (WAVDI) Service Learning and

Professional Engagement (SLAPE) program offers unique Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for recent graduates, volunteers/students can apply what they're learning or have learned in the real world as they study or after study. This means you can work an organization or a project while you earn academic course credits or non-academic credits.

Limited Practical Experience: One of the foremost challenges interns/volunteers encounter is the gap between classroom knowledge and on-the-job requirements. Many interns lack practical experience, which can hinder their productivity and confidence.  

Job Summary: This position is both technical and administrative.

To contribute to the achievements of objectives and results set out in the Organization Strategy by leading on the development, coordination, implementation and monitoring of the organization’s program action plan with a priority on ensuring that youth’s economic empowerment is

advanced through the organization’s programs

Duties and responsibilities

• Expanding program offering and enhancing the quality of existing programs
• Developing and implementing strategy for the program team, including developing a robust risk mitigation plan
• Understanding how different projects interlink and overlap
• Working with the HR team to manage staff and resources for programs
• Liaising with the marketing and communications team to increase awareness of programs
• Managing budgets and reporting on fund allocation
• Participating in tender and grant application process including design, submission and review
• Coordinating and running events and workshops
• Gathering feedback and presenting insights
• Reporting on program performance to executive team and directors
• Identifying opportunities for continual improvement
• Developing institution partnerships
• Ensuring relevant standards, process and regulations are upheld
• Help develop and maintain positive working relations with a wide network of partners, including Government, development partners, parliament, media and NGOs.
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• Represent the organization at Government and/or relevant development partner meetings, including the Gender Development Partners Group and prepare briefing for the Executive Director as required Support the development and maintain updates on team’s databases and mailing lists of stakeholders, allies and different levels of audience whether current or potential.
• Actively identify, engage and cultivate relationships with potential sponsors, donors and partners to support ongoing and future programs and activities of our organization locally and abroad
• Create a mailing group of potential institutions and individuals who eventually become recipient of organization regular updates
• Create organization packages and content for donors and partner institutions to build our capacity to implement programs and to accomplish its mission

Qualifications

Education

• Recent graduates, University Student/Volunteer  

Experience

• Experience is not a requirement (this program is intended provide and improve applicant with the necessary experience during the work period.   

Skills

• leadership and management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including editing skills
• Knowledge of budget development and financial management (training will be provided for applicant)
• Comfortable working in teams as well as acting independently in the implementation of specific tasks, multitasking and prioritizing, working under pressure and meeting deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment